Governor Fallin Reacts To President's Decision To Reject Oil Pipeline

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said the rejection of the Keystone pipeline project is "a sad day for those of us who care about American energy independence and job creation."

Fallin issued a statement Wednesday a few hours before President Obama announced he would not approve the application for the Keystone XL pipeline.

TransCanada's proposed 1,700 mile pipeline would have carried tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada through Oklahoma and down to refineries in the Gulf Coast.

Congress set a deadline, forcing President Obama to make a decision about the pipeline by February 21. The GOP-written provision was part of a tax bill that Obama signed into law just before Christmas.

The president had until that date to decide whether the pipeline was in the national interest. President Obama said he did not believe that was enough time to properly review the project, and he's disappointed Republicans in Congress forced the decision.

House Speaker John Boehner angrily rejected the president's argument, saying construction of the pipeline could have created more than 100,000 jobs.

Fallin said she is outraged the president rejected a project that could have provided work for  hundreds of Oklahomans.

"The decision by the president to block construction of this pipeline is more evidence this administration is beholden to radical environmentalists and does not care about real job creation or the plight of tens of millions of unemployed Americans. I am outraged by President Obama's obstructionism, poor judgment and lack of regard for a project that would help secure America's energy independence, boost our economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs."

9/1/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma Family Claims Victory In Pipeline Battle

The Oklahoma Impact Team has been following the controversial pipeline proposal for several months. Oklahoma landowners and environmentalists had voiced concerns, questioning the impact and safety the $7 billion pipeline.

Other's in Oklahoma, including Pipeliners Union Local 798 announced it supported the pipeline project because of the jobs it would bring to Oklahoma.

6/16/2011 Related Story: More Concerns Raised About Proposed Crude Oil Pipeline Through Oklahoma

5/10/2011 Related Story: Can a Company Based in Canada Use Eminent Domain in Oklahoma?